Exploring the Central Coast

[bank5]

I'm planning to take a 24 hour trip to explore around SLO. I'd like to do some hiking, mtb biking (probably more exploring xc rides than AM rides), a lot of exploring beaches and coast, and camp on or near a beach. Where would you recommend going? How's camping in Montana De Oro SP?

[wjphillips]

It's awesome! My father-in-law lives there and we went to visit just before Christmas. I rode most of Montana de Oro and it was amazing. They really take good care of the trails out there.

I did 23 miles in the park. About 20 miles of it was awesome twisty, flowy singletrack.

[mallen640]

Check out this site:

[url=http://mountainbikeslocounty.com[/url]

That site will give you a good list of most of the trails around SLO. I'd recommend Maddona Mt/Rock garden or MDO rides (hazard peak trail is my favorite). Madonna is accessible from downtown SLO and is more of a quick but fun ride; MDO has some awesome mountain biking and probably fits what you are looking to do. You could also try Morning Glory/Shooters as they start off of the cal poly campus and are also really fun.

As far as hiking, bishops peak is pretty fun, and you can also go to the avila sea caves if you want to stay on the coast. I don't know much about camping on the beach or in MDO, however I do know there is some along pismo/grover/avila beaches. MDO probably has some too, I just don't know much about it.

Also, make sure to check out downtown SLO and hit up firestone grill as a post ride dinner/lunch. Probably the best tri tip sandwich out there.

[slocaus]

Check the links in my sig. I am the CCCMB crew leader at MdO, out there 3 times a week at minimum. We are laying out more new trail now as well.









Check out the skills park we are building. It is below Shooters and Morning Glory.
FASTA Eucs Project - CCCMB

[ambassadorhawg]

24 hours is not enough time! Allow for 48 or more hours!!!

[evdog]

Originally Posted by slocaus

Check the links in my sig. I am the CCCMB crew leader at MdO, out there 3 times a week at minimum. We are laying out more new trail now as well.

You guys do awesome work! Thanks for all your effort, need to make the trip up there again soon!

[bank5]

Wow, I'm stoked to check it out. I'm going to try to get up there next Friday and stay until late Saturday or Sunday AM. I'm only in California for another 6 weeks but based on those pictures, I might be making multiple trips up.

[slocaus]

Originally Posted by evdog

You guys do awesome work! Thanks for all your effort, need to make the trip up there again soon!

Thanks, we work hard at it! We have an incredible bunch of dedicated people and we do it for ourselves too. We love to ride.

Originally Posted by bank5

Wow, I'm stoked to check it out. I'm going to try to get up there next Friday and stay until late Saturday or Sunday AM. I'm only in California for another 6 weeks but based on those pictures, I might be making multiple trips up.

Lemme tickle your interest a little more.





You will need a tour guide for this, and it is longer and tougher (and off the radar, wink wink) PM and I will see if someone is available if interested.

[Upchuck]

I'm so glad I happened across this thread. I take my family camping in Morrow Bay every summer and never knew about Montana de Oro. I can't wait to go riding there!

[wjphillips]

Originally Posted by slocaus

Thanks, we work hard at it! We have an incredible bunch of dedicated people and we do it for ourselves too. We love to ride.



Lemme tickle your interest a little more.





You will need a tour guide for this, and it is longer and tougher (and off the radar, wink wink) PM and I will see if someone is available if interested.

Is that snow in the first picture? Is that in MDO?

I definitely would like to check out the longer/tougher trail. Is it on private land? Or is it part of MDO?

Thanks for all your hard work on those trails!

[slocaus]

Originally Posted by wjphillips

Is that snow in the first picture? Is that in MDO?

I definitely would like to check out the longer/tougher trail. Is it on private land? Or is it part of MDO?

Thanks for all your hard work on those trails!

First pic, snow is a no, it is just late afternoon light on the ubiquitous limestone out there - MdO is a yes, Hazard Peak trail about 3/4 of the way up.

Second pic, ask me in a PM..

I'll answer later; big day tomorrow with our 25th anniversary work day at MdO, 150+ volunteers, $5000 in donations of food, beer, raffle prizes, I'm exhausted, spent four hours on the bike, final prep for being there at 7:00 am tomorrow.

[M5Tucker]

Not snow in that MdO pic, just the really light colored limestone/shale that's prevalent out there. The "off the radar" pic is a secret. It's pretty easy to get an almost identical view without going off the grid though. Like slocaus said, PM one of us if you're coming out on a weekend and want a "guided tour."

Camping at MdO is great, but you'll likely need to book in advance. The park offers everything from cruisy bluffs riding to technical rocky climbs & fast technical descents, and it's pretty easy to make a loop of over 15 miles. Remember to grab a bell though, everything with mountain bike access there is multi-use and the local equestrian, hiking, and running groups are very supportive of our efforts. There's great riding on West Cuesta ridge too, we've been working pretty hard out there. Not to mention Lopez Lake, Santa Margarita, and other good riding areas around SLO. Hope to see ya on the trail!

[wjphillips]

I live in San Diego, and I'll probably be heading back to SLO in May or June time frame (I only get up there 2 or 3 times a year). I'll PM you when my plans firm up.

[Upchuck]

I'll be up there the weekend of June 15th. I'll PM you guys before I head up so I can arrange to meet up for a ride.
What do you suggest I bring? SS, hardtail 1x9, hardtail 2x9, or 5" FS?

[slocaus]

Originally Posted by Upchuck

I'll be up there the weekend of June 15th. I'll PM you guys before I head up so I can arrange to meet up for a ride.
What do you suggest I bring? SS, hardtail 1x9, hardtail 2x9, or 5" FS?

Yes,.

All are useful here. If you like chunk, bring the FS, though the HT 2*9 will work. We have very buff SS beginner friendly to pretty chunky rocky rides. If you can manage two, the HT 2x and the FS.

[bank5]

I finally should be able to get up there tomorrow. My plan is to ride MDO tomorrow afternoon. I'm hoping to camp there but if it's completely full are there any alternatives?

On Saturday, I'll probably look to do a casual 1 to 2 hour ride. Something a bit flatter and smoother would be nice because I'm coming off a back injury and don't know how it'll hold up with AM type riding. Any recommendations?

[wjphillips]

I think you can camp in morro bay. Also, there is camping on hwy 1, just north of town. You should have no trouble finding something...

[CEB]

Pics of the place are sick. Can't wait to try it out someday. Thanks for sharing.

[Once_Upon_A_Time]

Originally Posted by bank5

I finally should be able to get up there tomorrow. My plan is to ride MDO tomorrow afternoon. I'm hoping to camp there but if it's completely full are there any alternatives?

On Saturday, I'll probably look to do a casual 1 to 2 hour ride. Something a bit flatter and smoother would be nice because I'm coming off a back injury and don't know how it'll hold up with AM type riding. Any recommendations?

You should be able to find a campsite at Montana De Oro State Park, however if needed Morro Bay SP, Morro Strand state beach has camping facilities and at this time of year is first come first serve. It's only a few miles from MDO.

flat, smoother trails...lemme get back to you. :O

[slocaus]

Originally Posted by bank5

I finally should be able to get up there tomorrow. My plan is to ride MDO tomorrow afternoon. I'm hoping to camp there but if it's completely full are there any alternatives?

On Saturday, I'll probably look to do a casual 1 to 2 hour ride. Something a bit flatter and smoother would be nice because I'm coming off a back injury and don't know how it'll hold up with AM type riding. Any recommendations?

We have been working out there for the last three weeks, building new trail. The hike to the work site is above the campground. It is full by Friday night / Saturday morning. If you get in earlier, Friday should be good, unless they are all reserved online first. If you see a group of 6-8 hiking up about 8:30 am or down about 5:30 pm, that is us.

[robsetsfire]

I was just up in SLO for the first time in about 4 years. I went to school at poly about 10 years ago.

You guys have done an impressive job on the MdO stuff. I wish I were still up there.

[FreeCoffee]

slocaus, I'm a long time local who wants to know some "off the map" trails. I tried PM'ing you but am post count insufficient. That XC trail looks awesome! Hit me up.

[slocaus]

There is a test forum way down at the bottom, you can go in there and do some postings. Get your post count to where you can PM me.

[2w4s]

Looking for some suggestions or tour guides, I'm going to be in SLO next week and want to ride Tues or Wednesday, should have around 3 hours and want to get the most bank for my time. I prefer techy trails and don't mind climbing, if anybody wants to let me know what your preferred routes are, that would be terrific!!

[Ridezum]

I suggest you leave our trails to the locals. Our trails have become overrun with Southers,to the point I avoid the more popular trails. This is a small area, I'm sick of Southers, with there smartphone app's asking me for directions. Stay away, the trails here can't handle the traffic. This isn't Tahoe, we only have so much room. I'm a CCCMB member, long time trail worker, STAY AWAY.